Rasalgethi

Rasalgethi (α1 Herculis) is a red supergiant star in the constellation Hercules. With an apparent magnitude of 3.48 it is the 281st-brightest star in the night sky, and it is about 360 light-years from Earth.

Finder chart showing where Rasalgethi is in the constellation Hercules
Rasalgethi (circled) in Hercules, with the surrounding constellations and bright stars.
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Facts

ConstellationHercules
Designationα1 Herculis (Alpha Herculis), HR 6406
Apparent magnitude3.48 (281st brightest)
Spectral typeM5Ib-II
Colorred (B−V 1.44)
Distanceabout 360 light-years
Right ascension17 h 14.6 min
Declination+14.39°
Best monthJuly (at about 9 pm)

Sources: star positions, magnitudes and colors from the Yale Bright Star Catalogue; constellation boundaries and star names from the IAU; areas and distances from Wikidata; stick figures by M. van der Sluys. How the maps are made.

How to find Rasalgethi

Rasalgethi is in Hercules. From 40° N it is highest in the south in July evenings, about 64° above the horizon. From 35° S it reaches about 41° in the north. Nearby bright stars: Rasalhague (5° away), Alphecca (26° away) and Sabik (30° away).

Hercules constellation →

Other named stars in Hercules

KornephorosSarinMaasymCujamMarsic

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